ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - The Bethel Royals sealed their spot in next week's MIAC championship game with a 45-14 victory over Augsburg in Arden Hills on a sun-splashed, 65-degree November day. The Royals took a 21-7 lead into halftime and then really turned it up in the second half building the lead to 45-7 early in the fourth quarter. The Auggies added their second touchdown with 29 seconds remaining in the game for the 45-14 final score. The win moves the Royals to a perfect 4-0 in the MIAC Skyline Division, 6-1 overall in the MIAC and 8-1 on the season.
The Royals scored on their opening drive, taking advantage of a short field after Augsburg only totaled 19-yards on a punt. Bryce Kunkle, a week after scoring four touchdowns, picked up where he left off with a one-yard run to cap the seven play, 34-yard drive. The Royals next score came on the first play of the second quarter, a Jaran Roste four-yard touchdown run to cap a four play and 25-yard drive. The Royals short field came after the Auggies attempted a fake punt on fourth and one from their own 25-yard line but the pass attempt fell incomplete. The Auggies were able to put their best drive of the day together in their next possession however, going 12 plays and 77-yards for a touchdown to pull within 14-7. The Royals were able to grab another short field when Nick Jones returned the kickoff 46-yards down to the Bethel 36-yard line. From there the Royals needed just three plays to find the endzone as Roste hooked up with Joey Kidder for a 19-yard touchdown pass. Bethel forced a quick three and out and were driving again, down to the Augsburg 13-yard line, but a fourth down pass completion was short of the sticks and the Royals turned it over on downs. The score would stay 21-7 heading into halftime.
The second half saw the Royals pour it on starting with a 45-yard Roste to Gabe Ante connection. Roste was flushed out of the pocket and on the run launched a deep pass where Ante had slipped behind the defense, juking a pair of defenders inside the ten, to get into the endzone and make the score 28-7. Each of the next three possessions for Augsburg were three-and-outs while the Royals scored on each of their three ensuing possessions. The first was another Roste to Kidder connection of 28-yards and the next was another Roste run from two yards out on a bootleg keeper, stretching the score to 42-7. Early in the fourth quarter the Royals sent out kicker Hugo Cifuentes to attempt his first field goal of the year and it was true from 18-yards out. Cifuentes was perfect again on extra points as he now stands at 30 for 30 on the season. The Auggies were able to score on a fourth and goal from the one yard line with 29-seconds remaining in the game for the 45-14 final score.
Bethel quarterback Jaran Roste completed 12 of his 15 passes for 197 yards and three scores. Sophomore running back Bryce Kunkle gained 135 yards on the ground on 19 carries and scored one touchdown while wide receiver Joey Kidder had five catches for 107 yards and two touchdowns. Neither team had a turnover in the game and only one sack was recorded between the two teams.
Nate Farm was the Royals leading tackler with six stops on the day. Nathaniel Hanson had a pair of tackles for loss. In all the Royals defense had six stops for loss and one sack by Brayden Finkbeiner.
No. 14-ranked Royals will look to avenge their lone loss of the season when Saint John's comes to Arden Hills on November 13th. It will be a rematch of the first MIAC game of the season from late September which went to Saint John's by 31-25 score. This winner however will take the automatic bid into the NCAA playoffs as the MIAC's champion. Kickoff at Royal Stadium will be at 1 p.m.
